As the 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its fifth round, there’s much to be observed by examining the teams’ cars up close. During the second practice session (FP2) for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Edd Straw had differing perspectives just 10 meters apart.
The close proximity of the left-right Turn 1-2 combination, typically taken in third gear, and the much faster left-right Turn 22-23, executed in fifth gear, provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of the ten different chassis in these distinct corner types.
Mitchell-Malm focused on the slower-speed corners, while Straw observed the high-speed sections. Here are their analyses based on their observations.
McLaren
Slow-speed corners
In the early laps of FP2, McLaren’s drivers displayed aggressive handling, notably hitting the apex at Turn 1 harder than their competitors. This approach seemed beneficial as the car handled the shock well, allowing for a smooth transition through the subsequent section. The tactic was less pronounced when they switched to soft tires, indicating a potential improvement in grip. Overall, the McLaren appeared efficient through Turn 1, sacrificing some speed in Turn 2 for a net time advantage.
High-speed corners
The McLaren excelled in high-speed corners, though drivers noted a slight instability during the transition from Turn 22 to Turn 23. Nevertheless, Norris demonstrated the ability to stay competitive in dirty air behind Tsunoda, showcasing the car’s capabilities.
Ferrari
Slow-speed corners
Ferrari’s performance in FP2 was characterized by instability; drivers reported that the car seemed ‘squirmy’. Hamilton struggled with consistency at Turn 1, often overstepping, while Leclerc displayed some improvement over multiple attempts, but still struggled to find the optimal performance.
High-speed corners
Leclerc showcased relative steadiness at high speeds, though Hamilton experienced inconsistent performance, which affected his speed and stability. This disparity suggested persistent issues with rear-end instability for Ferrari.
Red Bull
Slow-speed corners
At least with soft tires, Red Bull’s car was the second-best in Turns 1 and 2, although Verstappen noted a mid-corner slide with the medium tires. Tsunoda’s performance fluctuated; although he started strong, he became cautious after a slip in Turn 1, indicating that the car was generally settling well compared to previous outings this season.
High-speed corners
Despite some sparks at the entry to Turn 22, Red Bull handled well, allowing Verstappen to get back on the power quickly, though he couldn’t match the McLarens’ speed through this section.
Mercedes
Slow-speed corners
Mercedes struggled in FP2, looking awkward and unsteady. Antonelli’s early lock-up highlighted pre-season testing echoes, revealing a car that lacked composure. The switch to soft tires improved the situation but may have simply masked underlying issues.
High-speed corners
Difficult bumps entering Turn 22 disrupted the car’s performance, creating inconsistency and leaving Mercedes appearing as the fourth-most competitive team among the frontrunners.
Aston Martin
Slow-speed corners
Stroll made an early impact, unfortunately sliding into reverse due to apparent issues with his Aston Martin. Both drivers found the car difficult to maneuver, equally unimpressive in low-speed situations.
High-speed corners
While Aston Martin showed better performance in quick corners, they still failed to impress, lacking the expected speed and presence during transitions.
Alpine
Slow-speed corners
The Alpine did not display the speed Gasly had earlier in FP1, showing signs of struggle when pushed hard in Turns 1 and 2. Although they managed decent times, they weren’t as competitive within the midfield.
High-speed corners
At Turn 22, Alpine had the potential to lead the midfield, but its tendency to run wide mid-corner indicated a balanced entry that deteriorated through the corner, affecting overall performance.
Haas
Slow-speed corners
Concerns for Haas arose amidst aero issues reminiscent of previous races, with the car failing to deliver grip at low speeds. Altering its setup may have led to performance inconsistencies.
High-speed corners
Both Haas drivers struggled with mid-corner grip and speed in Turn 22, showcasing a car down on performance and unable to compete in high-speed sections.
Racing Bulls
Slow-speed corners
The Racing Bulls displayed their often strong grip during early sessions, but struggled at Turn 1, where understeer became an issue, complicating their navigation through the corners.
High-speed corners
The VCARB demonstrated reasonable balance in Turns 22 and 23, although it lacked the pace of its rivals, suggesting grip levels were holding it back rather than any major balance problems.
Williams
Slow-speed corners
Williams clearly stood out as the best of the midfield cars throughout the session, maintaining impressive speed at every turn.
High-speed corners
Although they appeared average entering Turn 22, both Albon and Sainz excelled in transitioning swiftly through the corners, proving effective for their overall speed and strategy.
Sauber
Slow-speed corners
With Bortoleto absent, Hulkenberg struggles early on highlighted the challenges faced by Sauber, which seemed difficult to drive but still managed reasonable lap times.
High-speed corners
Sauber showed signs of balance in high-speed corners but lacked the grip necessary for smoother transitions, hindering performance relative to other teams.
